Real Madrid news: Cristiano Ronaldo season goes from bad to worse with yet another on-pitch incident

Cristiano Ronaldo is again making headlines in Spain for his on-pitch behaviour rather than any goal-scoring exploits for Real Madrid. The former Manchester United star was once again caught on camera attempting to attack a rival in Los Blancos' flaccid 1-1 draw with real Betis, as part of another frustrating individual performance for the star.

The Portuguese international was lucky to avoid a red card in the second half of the game after aiming an off-the-ball kick at Francisco Molinero. The Betis player called the incident was an "ugly gesture and an act of aggression", but Ronaldo escaped dismissal as it was not spotted by the referees or other officials.

However, CR7 has been condemned in the media yet again for what they see as a pattern of behaviour in recent months. Mundo Deportivo and Sport call it the fifth time in two-and-a-half months that the Portuguese star has been caught trying to attack an opponent – and he has escaped censure every single time.

The incident came just one week after Ronaldo was at the centre of a similar farrago, expressing his frustrations with Sporting Gijon's Nacho Cases with another kick in an off-the-ball incident.

Ronaldo has been accused of similar wrongdoing on three other occasions this season, during the November games against Las Palmas, Sevilla and Barcelona, with David Simon, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Danil Alves being then his victims.

Last season Ronaldo was red carded for lashing out at Edimar in a game against Cordoba. He was also heavily criticised by Atletico Madrid fans in a YouTube video for his attitudes in the local derbies, appearing then to elbow Joao Miranda and punch Diego Godin.

His poor attitude has been paired with a dramatic drop in form this season. Madrid-based publication AS in particular has singled the player out for being one of the causes of Real's poor season.

Despite scoring 16 goals this season, Ronaldo has been criticised as a flat-track bully who only scores in games against minor sides or when his team are on the way to an easy victory, with only his brace against Real Sociedad being crucial to a result this season. The former Ballon d'Or winner has failed to score in 12 matches so far this campaign, blanking in the defeats to Barcelona, Sevilla and Villarreal and the draws with Malaga, Valencia and Betis.